According to the UK Mirror, Chelsea are making an ?18 million bid to sign Lyon midfielder Mickael Essien from under the noses of Manchester United.
Owner Roman Abramovich has given his blessing to the Premiership champions' first major swoop of the summer and talks are at an advanced stage.
Ghanaian Essien, 22, is rated the best player at the runaway leaders of the French League but has long been linked with a move to Manchester United as a long-term successor to Roy Keane.
Chelsea have made a move as doubts grow over Steven Gerrard's availability after Liverpool's progression to the Champions League Final.
Despite the player admitting his love for United, Sir Alex Ferguson cannot compete with Chelsea's financial muscle.
Signing Essien would be one in the eye for United, with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon aware of their interest in a player once on trial at the club.
